With an aim to control the onset of various monogenic disorders such as the metabolic disorders, endocrine disorders, hemoglobin disorders and others, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) will soon begin research on monogenic disorders.
With this aim, the DBT has now invited investigators working in these areas to submit concept notes in collaboration with clinicians for the molecular analysis of the most prevalent monogenic disorder from different zones of the country viz. North-Eastern zone, Eastern Zone, Central zone, Northern zone, North-Western zone, Western zone, South-Western zone, Southern zone, South-Eastern zone and Andaman-Nicobar Island zone.
For this programme, Concept notes will only help in identifying investigators (both clinicians and scientists) who have relevant expertise in molecular analysis of monogenic disorders. A networking meeting of all the selected participants would then be facilitated by DBT to develop multi-approach, multi-disciplinary programme towards an identified goal with both short term and long term objectives clearly defining the scientific approaches.
Scientists working in Universities/Academic Institutions/National Laboratories/Industries [Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR)-Recognized R&D Centre] & Non-Profit Organizations with necessary facilities and strong scientific background in the proposed area are eligible to participate in this prgramme. Collaborative projects with clinicians would only be considered for funding.
The DBT's initiative in this regard is significant as monogenic disorders are an important cause of neonatal mortality both in developed and developing countries. Millions suffer from inherited genetic diseases and the one-sixth of the world’s population living in India has never been systematically studied. It is not only a leading cause of fetal loss, but also contributes significantly to preterm birth, childhood and adult morbidity along with considerable repercussion on the mothers and their families. Worldwide surveys have shown the birth prevalence of monogenic disorders varies due to social, racial, economical and ecological influences. In order to control the onset of various monogenic disorders (metabolic disorders, endocrine disorders, hemoglobin disorders and others), it is pertinent to understand the epidemiology and molecular basis of these disorders.
Funding priority will be placed on those projects that will lead to a better understanding of molecular mechanism of the most important inherited single-gene disorder prevalent in the particular zone with the listing of overall prevalence of other monogenic disorders in the concerned zone. Individual project should represent all the regions of the concerned zone.